Three Kentucky evangelical leaders will host three “Issues Forums” with U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes to explore matters of concern to evangelical Christians.
McConnell has accepted the invitation. Grimes is reviewing the invitation.
The forums will be hosted by R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Paul Chitwood, executive director of the Kentucky Baptist Convention; and Bob Russell, retired senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville.
The Issues Forums will be held:
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August 14 in Bowling Green at Eastwood Baptist Church (500 Eastwood Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42103).
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August 20 in Louisville at Highview Baptist Church, East Campus (15201 Shelbyville Road, Louisville, KY 40245).
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August 28 in Somerset at Somerset Christian School (815 Grand Central Blvd, Somerset, KY 42503).
“The purpose of these forums will be to consider the urgent issues now presented to evangelical Christians in American society and in the engagement with our culture,” said Mohler. “Understanding that many of these issues are matters of urgent and deep concern related to the 2014 elections, we believe that it would be most helpful to call evangelical pastors together for an opportunity to discuss these issues, with special reference to the 2014 election to the United States Senate in Kentucky. This election, put in the context of the larger national perspective, will necessarily determine how many of these issues, including family, marriage, the sanctity of life and religious liberty will be addressed in our national political system.”
Mohler added, “We are pleased that Senator McConnell has accepted this invitation and we are hopeful that Secretary Grimes will also take advantage of this opportunity and accept our invitation to discuss these issues with Kentucky’s evangelical leaders.”
The KBC’s Chitwood said, “Kentucky’s 1 million Southern Baptists need to know where these candidates stand on faith issues. We are diverse in our political affiliations but stand united in our commitment to religious liberty and issues where the Bible’s teachings are clear.”
Russell, longtime Louisville pastor, said, “Today’s political issues frequently overlap with crucial biblical principles. The sanctity of life, the sacredness of marriage, the freedom to evangelize, racial equality, the persecution of Christians in foreign countries, caring for the poor, justice in the courtroom, defining a just war and the proper treatment of immigrants aren’t just political issues — they are first and foremost biblical issues.”
He added, “We are confident the upcoming forums will provide an excellent opportunity for Kentucky voters to be informed about where the candidates stand on these and other critical issues.”
Each event will begin at 11 a.m. The hosts will moderate Q&As with the candidates, who are expected to appear separately. Russell will not attend the Louisville Issues Forum, while Chitwood is unavailable for the Somerset event.
The public is invited to attend the events, which are free and non-ticketed.
“Evangelical pastors are urgently invited to attend and participate in these forums and pastors are also invited to bring lay leaders and staff members from their churches in hopes of an even wider discussion of these issues of urgent importance,” Mohler said.